March 14, 2014

Canada: 100 measles cases reported in Fraser Valley outbreak

Roughly 100 cases of the measles have been reported in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver, prompting health officials to warn that cases have begun spreading outside of the previous school and religious groups where they first appeared.

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Van Buynder says only one nine-year-old girl has been admitted to hospital so far, but about 80 new cases have also been reported in the general populations of the two Fraser Valley municipalities of Chilliwack and Agassiz.

Previously dozens of cases had been reported at a Christian School in Chilliwack with a low vaccination rate.

"We respect the beliefs of religious groups and we understand they're not going to get vaccinated because of their belief system," said Van Buynder.

"What's disappointing is that the broader population has many people who are susceptible and are at risk. We need to get people to understand that measles infection is a great risk and these vaccines are very safe and very important for protection."

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Roughly 100 cases of the measles have been reported in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver, prompting health officials to warn that cases have begun spreading outside of the previous school and religious groups where they first appeared.

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Van Buynder says only one nine-year-old girl has been admitted to hospital so far, but about 80 new cases have also been reported in the general populations of the two Fraser Valley municipalities of Chilliwack and Agassiz.

Previously dozens of cases had been reported at a Christian School in Chilliwack with a low vaccination rate.

"We respect the beliefs of religious groups and we understand they're not going to get vaccinated because of their belief system," said Van Buynder.

"What's disappointing is that the broader population has many people who are susceptible and are at risk. We need to get people to understand that measles infection is a great risk and these vaccines are very safe and very important for protection."